Eswatini, Niger battle for pride in Manzini

Bonginkosi Dlamini of Swaziland during 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup match between Namibia and Swaziland at Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg on 04 July 2017 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Nov 16, 2018. 12:00

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Niger will battle for nothing but pride and ranking points when the two countries lock horns at the Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini on Sunday, in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Kick-off is at 15h30 CAT.

The two nations are tied on a point apiece in Group J after four rounds fixtures, and have already seen their hopes of reaching next year's showpiece in Cameroon dashed.

Sihlangu Semnikati held Niger to a goalless draw in Niamey last year, with the result the two countries only point thus far.

This weekend's hosts lost 2-0 at home to Tunisia in September before successive defeats to Egypt; a 4-1 loss in Cairo was followed by a 2-0 defeat on home soil in their most recent outing.

Niger have suffered a similar fate with a thumping 6-0 loss away to the Pharaohs the worst of three successive defeats. Menas improved against the Eagles of Carthage, going down 1-0 in Rades before a 2-1 loss in Niamey.

Referee Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall of Mauritius will take charge of the clash.